Milk Street Television Season 3 Episode 8 Milk Street Italian Classics

In this episode of Christopher Kimball's Milk Street, we explore Italian cuisine and learn how to make classic dishes with a twist. First up is pasta e fagioli, a hearty Italian soup featuring cannellini beans and pasta. Kimball shows us how to elevate this simple soup with a few key techniques, like using pancetta as a flavor base and finishing with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.

Next, we tackle eggplant parmesan, a beloved Italian-American favorite. Kimball's version skips the heavy breading and frying, opting instead for a lighter, oven-baked version that's just as delicious. He also shares a technique for preventing the eggplant from getting soggy and mushy during the cooking process.

Moving on to pizza, Kimball shows us how to make a simple but delicious Margherita pizza, one of the most popular varieties in Italy. The secret to a great Margherita pizza lies in the quality of the ingredients, so Kimball emphasizes the importance of using fresh, high-quality tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.

For the main course, we learn how to make chicken cacciatore, a classic Italian dish that's perfect for a cozy dinner at home. Kimball's version features bone-in chicken pieces, which are first seared to create a crispy skin and then simmered in a tomato-based sauce with garlic, onion, and red bell pepper.

Finally, we end with a sweet treat: tiramisu. This beloved Italian dessert features layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, and cocoa powder, and Kimball shows us how to achieve the perfect texture and flavor balance.

Throughout the episode, Kimball shares tips and techniques for cooking Italian cuisine at home, including the importance of using quality ingredients and mastering basic cooking techniques like searing and simmering. With Milk Street Italian Classics, viewers will be inspired to bring the flavors of Italy into their own kitchens and impress friends and family with delicious, satisfying meals.